America, your dreams have come true! After months of speculation and mouth-watering rumors, Nestlé® Crunch® today confirmed it has created the new Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars, designated “the world’s most valuable candy bars” by the world’s largest auction house of collectibles, Heritage Auctions. Having officially authenticated the first set of the three limited edition Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars, Heritage Auctions has appraised the bars at $500, an amount almost 200 times greater than the bars’ suggested retail price -- making them the most valuable candy bars currently in existence.

Inspired by the three most popular flavors of Girl Scout Cookies, Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars are produced under license from Girl Scouts of the USA and come in three varieties:

“When word of this irresistible combination of Nestlé Crunch and Girl Scout Cookie flavors leaked earlier this year, consumers started calling,” said spokesperson Tricia Bowles, Nestlé USA, Confections & Snacks. “One said he’d give us all of his money for Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars! Another said she’d do ‘anything’ to get her hands on some, and our retailers seem to feel the same way. Fans should be ready to buy “the world’s most valuable candy bars” before they are all gone!”

Beginning tomorrow, May 9, Nestlé Crunch and Girl Scout Cookie fans can log online to purchase the candy bars through a special, limited supply pre-sale program at www.Facebook.com/NestleCrunch while supplies last. After the pre-sale, the Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars will be available as limited edition candy bars this summer at participating retail stores nationwide, beginning June 1 through September.

WORTHY OF A RENOIR

The new Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars hold the distinct honor of serving as the muse for acclaimed painter Alexandre Renoir, the great-grandson of the legendary Impressionist, French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. His original painting of the bars will be auctioned off at a special VIP event at Galerie Michael in Beverly Hills on May 31. In addition to Renoir’s new masterpiece, a framed set of Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars from the first production run will be auctioned off at the gallery and online through Heritage Auctions. All proceeds will benefit the local Girl Scouts council, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

“Nestlé is anticipating a tremendous response to these Girls Scout candy bars and, given how good they are, I’d say those expectations are warranted,” said Margaret Barrett, a music, entertainment and pop culture specialist with Heritage Auctions, which will feature the framed set of the Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars online. “The three candy bars that we are auctioning – from the first production run – will be regarded as treasures of pop culture. They should easily command at least $100 to $200 each at auction or $500 for the set, with the winning bids to benefit the local Girl Scouts council, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

Authorizing the exclusive candy bars during the organization’s landmark 100th anniversary year, Girl Scouts of the USA entered into a national license agreement with Nestlé, for the limited production of Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars. This marks the first time the Girl Scouts have licensed a candy bar product inspired by the flavors of their famous cookies.

"We’re pleased that with the help of a great brand like Nestlé Crunch, our iconic Girl Scouts brand can reach the public in new and unexpected places," said Barry Horowitz, vice president and general manager, Girl Scout Merchandise, Girl Scouts of the USA. "During our 100th anniversary, we hope the Nestlé Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bars raise awareness of the Girl Scout Cookie Program and all the business and financial literacy skills girls learn from participating in this annual leadership activity."

About Girl Scouts of the USA
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (800-478-7248) or visit www.girlscouts.org.

About Heritage AuctionsHeritage Auctions, headed by Steve Ivy, Jim Halperin and Greg Rohan, is the world’s third largest auction house, with annual sales more than $800 million, and 700,000+ online bidder members. Heritage features more than 34 categories of collectibles and is the unchallenged leader in Coins, Comics, Comic Art, Movie Posters, Vintage Sports Memorabilia, Illustration and Comic Art, Space Memorabilia and much more. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and gain access to a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

About Nestlé USA
Named one of “The World’s Most Admired Food Companies” in Fortune magazine for fifteen consecutive years, Nestlé provides quality brands and products that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with Lean Cuisine® to baking traditions with Nestlé® Toll House®, Nestlé USA makes delicious, convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that make good living possible. That’s what “Nestlé. Good Food, Good Life” is all about. Nestlé USA, with 2011 sales of $10 billion,is part of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland — the world’s largest food company with a commitment to Nutrition, Health & Wellness — with 2011 sales of $94 billion. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or NestleNewsroom.com.